Door assembly



March 19, 1929. M. H. TONCRAY noon ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Shet 2 Filed April10, 1926 ATTORNEY?- March ls, 1929. MHTONCRAY 1,705,741

' DOOR ASSEMBLY Filed April 10, 1926 3isheets-snet 5 yLu-LAAQQMQ AL, TTw fi- Patented Mar. 19, 1929.

UNITED? STATES MILLARD n. ToN RAY, or DETROIT, MIC IGAN, Assmnonfi'oappeasement COMPANY, or DETROIT, mcmeann o Om oll o par isan. L;

noon ASSEMBLY. I

Application flled,Apr11 10, 1926. Serial No. 101,079.

This invention relates to doors for closed automobile bodies and hasamong itsgeneral objects to'provid'e a door of attractive ap pear-- anceandjhaving the requisite strength and.

rigidity, which door, with the exception of the Windowglass,: trim, andotheraccessory parts, iscomp'osed entirely of metal, which can bequickly and inexpensively con.-

- 7 structed by the; assembly of sheet metal 'stampings themselvessimple and inexpensive of production by standard methods, and whichcanbe readily provided with a baked enamel orother finish. i

Other and morepartioular objects of the invention, together withmeanswhereby the latter may-becarried intoeflect, will best be understoodfromthe following-description of a preferred embodiment'thereof illustrated,in the accompanying dt'awings- It will be understood, however, that theparticular construction shown and described has been chosen forillustrative purposes merely, and that the invention, as defined by theclaims hereunto appended, may be otherwise em bodied .without departurefrom the spirit and scope thereof. 4 y

In said drawings Fig. -1is a'perspective View of the main door assemblyin the condition in which it is :enameled orotherwise finished.

Fig. 4 is an enlarge the upper corners of the door;

substantially on the line 55, Fig. l.

F1 .7- fieferring" to Figs. 1 to 5..an d 12, the door itenwise;

=assembly therein shown comprises two u rights 20 and 21 carrying windowguides 22,

Figs-'2 and 3 are enlarged sections'taken. substantiallyconz-the lines22 and-3+3ra; spectively, Fig. 1.- preferablycompl 38 a sheetmetalstamping d fragmentary perspective view showing the construction at oneof Fig. 5 is aifurther enlarged section taken Fig. 6 isya perspectiveview, partly broken a header 23, a bott reinforcin cross member 24, anoutside panel 25, an a con 'bi'ned regulator board and inside panel26.The upright 20 constitutes the door hinge gilla and carries one of theelements q; e by which the door is connected ill E ho hlnge pillar, notshown. The hin rhinges 00 may be of any type at. construction, but asshownin Figs. 5 and 9 the door hinge illar 20 has secured thereto,as-vby bolts 2 ,one

section 28 of a bin disclosed in a prior application filed .ber 30,1925, Serial No. 72,219,-toget-her} acover 29 for the hinge.:- zlheupr1ght2l'l l}:- stitutes' the door latchpillarwhichlisl ed at the .freeedge-of the'door. -The pillars, 20 and'2 1 com rise sheet metalstampingsand are ,prefera lyof [the open cross-section shown, having webportions disposed'itrans versely"of the door and determining itsthicknss and inner and outer flanges disposed parallel with the innerand outer faces of thedoor resjectively, thel,o1,1 ter flange-30 of thelatch pil ar 21 being tuinedoutwardly or away from the bod ofjthe doortoengage the -'outer face of thefl edye'letch pillar-fdr fdoor jamb notshown-)i The lower portions of the innegflanges of the'pillars 20 and-21are prelierably formed with integral ofiset 1i s 31 ge of the typemoremay ovena o5 A inafter exp1ained;' Theheader 23, which" con- 1 6C1 8 thepillars gfl, @Pd21fQatthe-top, also 35 of-iehannel cross'sectiondisposed with the ,web vertical and the channel o e ling-out--wa;i'dly,the upper leg of the'tchennel being formed jwithjanupstanding-fie e 32 designed to overlap the headeroi the oor opening(not-shown),'and th'e ends of the web being formed with forwardly turnedears 33 which, in the assembled door, are spot-welded tothe pillars 20and 21', as most clearly shown 1nFig.,4.- Thdw'indow guides 2 2 are alsocomposed' ofilsheetmetal. and comprise por- -tionsjchannel-shaped i'rtcross'sectlon to refceive the window runs, and-flanges 34 secured-,asj{rivets 35, to the' jo ut'wardly turned es 19 o theinner' flangesoi thepillars 20 21. The,v window-"guides 22 are 'preferspot-welded at their,upper e'nds'to the, header 23, as indicatedin.F1g..4, and'may be fartherbraced'below their upper ends by biackets 36 .conne'cting them with thewebs of I' the pillars 20 and 21, as shown in 5.

The inside bottom reinforcing member 24 (see particularly Figs. 2 and12) comprises a sheet metal member of angular cross section having avertical leg and an upper horizontal .leg, the vertical leg beingpreferably of conflanges 39. The outside panel 25, which connects thepillars 20 and 21 at the outer side of the door, comprises a sheet metalstamping of the desired form and outline of the exterior of the door andis formed in its upper portion with a window opening 40, the edges ofwhich are turned inwardly, as shown at 41. At its upper edge the outsidepanel 25 is crimped over the flange 32 of the header 23.as shown at 42(see particularly Fig. 3). One of the vertical edges of the panel 25 issimilarly crimped over the flange of the door latch pillar 21 as shownat 4.3 (see.particularlvFig. 5), while the opposite vertical edge 44 isturned inwardly and riveted or spotwelded to the web of the door hingepillar 20. The combined regulator board and inside panel 26, whichconnects the pillars 20 and 21 at the inner side of the door below thewindow opening 40, is also composed of sheet metal and is formed with asubstantially central opening 45 surrounded by an inturned stiffeningflange 46 and at o posite sides of'said opening with surfaces 4 for theattachment of the window operating mechanism, said surfaces beingsymmetrically arranged so that the same panel can be usedinterchangeably for doors at either the right or the left side of thebody. At its lower end the inside panel 26 isturned outwardly (or towardthe outer side of the door) .as shown at 48 (see particularly Figs. 2and 12), thence. down-' wardly as shown at '49, thence again outwardlyas shown at 50, and finally again downwardly as shown at 51 to form abottom flange to overlap the threshold (not shown): The vertical edgesof the inside panel 26 are secured by rivets 52 to the inner flangesofathe door pillars 20 and 21, said panel and flanges being provided atthe time of their formation -with die-located'holes to receive saidrivets and thereby relatively position the parts.

The: lower edge of the vertical leg of the member 24 is secured, as byrivets 53, to the downwardlyturned rtion-49 of the inside panel 26,while the ange 37 is likewise se-. cured, as by rivets outwardly turnedportion 48 of the latter.

-. The ears 38 and flanges 390i the member 24 tively, to. the webs ofthe door pillars 20 and 21.] The riveted joints 54, to the outer face ofsaid- ;'panel at an elevation considerably above the between the membersuit-able fabric, is

.bottom flange 51 of theinside panel 26 as shown at 61. Secured, as byrivets 62, to the 'top horizontal leg of the reinforcing cross member 24is a holder 63 for a rubber or other window bump-er 64 (Fig. 7) toengage the lower edge of the window glass, hereinafter referred to, whenthe latter is lowered.

The parts above referred to (with the exception of the window bumper'64) are assembled with one another in a suitable jig or otherwise andare secured together in the manner described- By reason of theprelocated holes for the rivets 52, the parts can be relativelypositioned with great accuracy and properly squared with one anotherwhether a jig or form be employed or not. The reinforcing cross member24, .in conjunction with the lower portion of the inside panel 26, theoutwardly turned portion .48 of the latter, and the pillars 20 and 21,forms, at the bottom of the door, a transversely extending, completelyboxed stifi'ening section or hollow box girder member which provides ari id connection between the pillars indepen ently of the outside panel.This feature of the constructionis of great importance and advantagesince it gives to this portion of the door the rigidity required tostiffen the whole structure, permits the use of pillars of open crosssection which can be readily produced by simple stamping operations,prevents warping and'weaving of the door, and insures the retention bythe latter ofits predetermined shape and its accurate fit in the dooropening.

The parts of the assembly thus produced are all'of metal and may beenameled and baked or otherwise finished without danger of injurythereto.

Thereafter (see glass, trim, and accessory parts are applied tothe-wassembly above described. The window regulating mechanism, whichmay be Figs. 6 to 12) the'window I of any approved type and which isgenerally indicatedet 65 in Fig. 6, and the door latch'br lock(hereinafter further referred to) are secured to the appropriate end ofthe inside anel 26, thewin ow bumper 64 is applied to -1ts hblder' 63,and felt or rubber runs 66 are applied to the window guides 22. Thewindow glass 67, with the usual channel 68 at its 'low'eredge, is thendropped into the window runs and guides from the top and its channel 68engaged with the arm of the operating mechanism 65, this insertion'ofthe glass from the top being permitted by the location of the header .23outwardly of the plane of the guides, as'shown most clearly ,in'Fig..4.-A

door trim panel 69, which may comprise a.

sheet of veneer or fibre board coveredwith then applied to the Innerfpanel 26, theo posite verbein'g'inserte under and face of the insidetical edges thereo held inplace by the lips 31 on the inner flanges ofthe pillars 20-and 21. 'A belt trim molding 70 is then securedr'byscrews 72 to the upper edge of-the inside panel 26,.said mold-' inghaving an integral offset .l1p*71 overlapping the upper edge of the trimpanel 69 and holdin the latter in placeat the top. The screws 52, orcertain of them, may also, if desired, be employed-for the purpose ofsecuring in place a pull-to handle 86. The belt trim molding 70 ispreferably provided with a cushioning strip 7 3 engaging the inner faceof the window glass 67, while a similar outside cushioning strip74fisfipreferably 'secured to a flange 75.at the lower side of the.inturned rim 41' of 'the'window opening in, the outside panel 25. The'loWeredge of the trim panel 69 is held in-place by a mold ing 7 6secured by sc'rews'77 tothe inside panel 26'adjacentthe outwardly turned"portion 48 of the latter, said molding carrying a rubber seal 78 toengage the top of the threshold. After the insertion of the window glass67, the top of the door is closed and finished by a trim header 79 '(seeparticularly Fig. 8),

secured by screwsSO to the upper leg of the .header channel 23. The,trim header 79. is preferably COmPOSBd Df sheet metal of the angularform shown and includes an .upwardly turned bottom flange ,81 to whichis secured, as by screws 82, a holder "83 for a able outside and insidehandles (not rubber. window'iheader 84 to engage the upper edge of theglass 67. If desired, additional screws 80 ma be employed to securetheends of the trim" header 79 to cats formed n at the upper'ends of thepillars 20 and 2-1. 1'.

inner flange of the Theldoor latch may be of anyapproved tiypeincludingfa "latch bolt 85 rOJeqtin' t i'roughan opening in the web votheTlatc pillar 21, and operable from the outep'a'nd' suit w throughmechanism (not shown in detail) held by a casing88 secured tothe'latchpillar 21 and inside panel 26 by screws 891and 90 respectively,said casing carrying clinch nuts 87for the attachment of the escutcheonplate inner sides of'the door respectively-EX for the inside handle. Akey operated lock."

4 is preferably provided, for locking. the latch bolt from the outside,said lock'comprising' a barrel 91 held'betWeen-t-he outside panel 25 andan insideplate. 92 spot-welded thereto and carrying clinclrmuts93-forthe attach- .ment of the escutchon plate for the outside handle.The door is 'alsofpreferably .providedflwith bumpers 94 to engage thedoorfjamb, which bumpers may be of the type disclosed and claimed inapplication Ser1al'No. 100,586. filed jApril 8, 51926, :and' compi'isingrubberblocks adjustably secured within the latch 2 pillar '21 andprojecting throughopenings if} the latter at the flange thereof.

Having thus claim:

1. A sheet metal door for automobile bodies including a pair of uprightpillars and a hollow sheet-metal box girder member junction of the weband inner described .my invention, I

formin a rigid connection between said pillars adjacent the bottom. 7

2. A sheet metal door for automobile bodies including a pair of uprightpillars 1 4:. -'A sheet metal door for automobile bodies, including apair of upright pillars,

an outside panel connectingi said illars at the outer side of the door,an inside panel of open cross-section and a hollow sheet-' connectingsaid pillars at the inner' side of the door, and a reinforcing membersecured to saidplllars and inside panel and forming therewith, andindependently of said outside panel, a boxed stiffening sectionadjacentthe bottomof the door.

5. A door for autom bile bod1es,1ncludin a pair of upright m t-alpillars, an outsi e panel connecting said pillars at the outer, side. ofthe door, a sheet metal inside panel connecting saidpillars at the innerside .of the door, and a sheet metal reinforcing membersecured to saidpillars and inside panel.

and forming therewith a boxed stifl'ening sec-c tion adjacent the bottomof the door.

)6. A door for automobile bodies, including a. pair of upright metalpillars, an outs de panel connecting said pillars'at the outer side ofthe door, a sheet metal'inside panel connecting said. pillars at the.inn er s de of the door, a trim panel overlying said inside metal panel,and a sheet metal reinforcing member secured to said pillars andinsidepanel and forming therewith, and -inde' endently of: said outsidepanel and trim (the a boxed stifl'ening section adjacent the '"jttoin ofthe doors; f

j '7. A sheet metal door for closed automobile f-bodies includiiig apairoi' upright pillars,-

aheader connecting said pillars the top, an outside panel connectingsaid illars at the outer sideof the-door-and havmga window opening, aninside anel'connectijng' said pillars attheinner si e ofjthe door belowsaid window opening, and a reinforcing member secured togs'aid pillarsand inside panel and forming therewith and indepe'nd'ently of saidoutside panela boxed "stifl'en'ing section adjacent the bottom of thedoor.

I Ll

8. A door for automobile bodies, includin r a pair of upright metalpillars, a sheet metzil panel connecting said pillars, and a sheet metalmember secured to said panel, at least one of said last named partsbeing of angular cross-section to form with the other a hollow boxgirder member connecting said pillars adjacent the bottom of the door.

9. A sheet metal door for closed automobile bodies including a pair ofupright pillars, a header connecting said pillars at the top, an outsidepanel connecting said pillars at the outer side of the door and having awindow opening, an inside panel connecting said pillars at the innerside of the door beouter side of the door, an inside panel connectingsaid pillars at the inner side of the" door, said inside panel having atitslower end a portion turned 1 outwardly, thence downwardly, and henceagain outwardly and connected with said outsidepanel, anda box member ofangular cross-section having a relatively long vertical leg secured at'1ts lower end to said downwar lyturned or tion of said inside panel anda relatively-s ort horizontal leg secured tosaid inside 'spanel abovethe lower end portion thereof, the ends of said legs being secured-tosaid pillars.

11. A sheet metal door for closed automos bile bodies including apair ofupright pillars having webs disposed transversely of the door, and aheader connecting said pillars at the top, said header comprising achannel member disposed with its web vertical, said header Web havingend portions secured to thewebs of said pillars. I

12. A sheet metal door for closed automobile bodies includinga pair ofupright pillars having. webs disposed transversely of the door and innerflanges with outwardly turned edges, a header conhecting'said pillars atthe top, said header comprising a channel member disposed withits webvertical, said header web'havin endportionssecured to the'web of said-pilars, and window guides of channel cross section secured at their upperends to the web of said header and. having flanges secured to the turnededges of said pillar flanges...

13. A sheet metal doorlfor closed automo:

bile bodies including a pair of upright illars, a hollow sheet metal boxgirder mem r forming a rigid connection between said p11- said glass.

lars adjacent the bottom, and a window bumper carried by the top of saidmember.

14. In a door for closed automobile bodies, a. pair of upright pillars,window guides carried by said pillars, a window glass in said guides, adoor header permanently connect-' ing said pillars at-the top andlocated outwardly of the plane of said guides and glass.

to permit the latter to be inserted intoand removed from said guides atthe top, and a trim header detachably secured to said doorheader andnormally closing the upper ends of said guides.

15. In a door for closed automobile bodies, a pair of upright pillars,window guides carried by. said pillars,'a window glass in said ing saidpillars at the top to permit the latter to be inserted into and removedfrom said guides at the top, and a trim header detachably' secured tosaid door header and normally closing the upper ends of said guides,said, trim: header. carryinga packing header. to engage the upper edgeof 16. a door for automobile bodies, a pair of metal pillars havinginner flanges formed at their edges with integral ofiset lips. and

aninjside trim panel having itslateral edges inserted under said lipsand secured in place thereby. v

17. In a door for closed automobile bodies,-

a pairof upright metal pillars, a metal panel connecting said pillars,window guides carried by said pillars, a window glass in said guides, atrim panel,'a belt trim molding secured to said metal panel and havingits lower edge overlying the upper edge of said trim panel to secure thelatter in place at the guides, a door header permanently connectandlocated out-' wardly of the plane of said guides and glass top, and aweather strip carried by said molding and engaging said glass.

18. In a door for closed automobile bodies,

a pair of upright metal pillars, a metal panel connecting said pillars,a trim panel, a bot- 7 tom molding secured to said metal panel. andoverlying the lower edge of said trim panelto secure the latter in placeat the bottom,-

and aseal carried by said molding to engage the threshold. I v i I '19.In a door for closed automobile bodies,

a pair of metal pillars having inner flanges formed at their edges withlip s,-a metal panel connecting said flanges, a trim panel having itslateral edges engaged and secured in place by said lips, a belt trimmoldingv secured to said metal panel and h'aving its lowercdge overlyingthe upper edge of said trim'p'anel to secure the'latter in place at thetop, and

a bottommolding secured tosaid metal panel and overlying the lower edgeof saidtrim panel'to secure said-trim panel in place at the bottom. 1

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature. H. TONCRAI-

